PHOTOS: Kurdish woman among top 2017 sportswomen

ERBIL, Kurdistan Region (Kurdistan 24) - Among the top sportswomen of 2017 was a Kurdish woman who is Iran's champion of kickboxing, local media reported.

Susan Rashidi from a nomadic tribe in Kermanshah, Iranian Kurdistan, had to fight against patriarchal traditions to follow her passion for sports. Before long, she was recognized as the national champion of kickboxing. 

This taboo breaker first acquired training along with her cousin and without her parent's knowledge.

After showing significant resilience,  her father became her supporter and defended her before those who consider Susan's leaving home to train a dishonorable act.

Showing exceptional talent, she was selected for provincial championships within the first month of her introduction to kickboxing.

To date, she has won eleven national championships and dreams of a world title.

She also wants to train the children of her tribe.

Serious training for championship has not stopped her from participating in her nomadic duties such as setting up tents, chopping wood, sweeping tents or baking bread.

Activists say her success is extremely significant because she lives in a country where women are banned from attending sports stadiums and women's sport is not taken seriously.